D.M. van der Merwe is of the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies, University of Pretoria

ABSTRACT

This article is an attempt to explore the value, as well as possible pitfalls, in the use of official institutional histories in historical research and specifically the way in which a particular school of historical writing can influence the interpretation of certain events in the past. This article focuses on the events surrounding the change of the language policy of the University of Pretoria (UP) from a dual medium to an Afrikaans-only policy. It compares the account of the language question at UP as portrayed in the official commemorative book of the university, Ad Destinatum 1910-1960, with information from other sources, including Afrikaans and English newspaper reports, minutes of meetings of university bodies, oral and written testimonies of former students, as well as articles written on the language question at South African universities. It also examines some of the leading personalities who played a role in the language question.